Levin Morning Briefing

Advocacy for Children's Healthcare

About This Event

The state of Ohio enjoys a network of six children’s hospitals providing high-quality pediatric health care for all Ohio children regardless of a family’s ability to pay – including Ohio’s poorest and sickest children through Ohio’s Medicaid program. We face several challenges here in Ohio and throughout the nation related to health care financing, quality, cost and access – all of which are certain to remain on the public policy agenda well into the future. Michael Wellendorf will provide an overview of the issues facing children’s hospitals in the realm of public policy, including some of the areas that are priorities as they seek to advance their operational missions.

Michael was born and raised in the Mahoning Valley and is a graduate of Boardman High School as well as a graduate of Youngstown State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. As a senior at YSU, he served an internship in the office of former Ohio Governor George Voinovich. Upon graduation, Michael was hired as Voinovich’s advance coordinator, where he managed events for the governor's office. After working as the personal aide to former Ohio Governor Bob Taft, Michael joined the staff of then newly-elected Ohio Treasurer of State Joseph T. Deters as a legislative aide. He was then promoted to the role of Eastern Ohio regional representative where he represented State Treasurer Deters and the interests of the Ohio Treasurer’s Office to public funds managers, community organizations, and elected officials in more than a dozen counties. Michael continued his public service when he served in the same role for former Ohio Treasurer of State Jennette Bradley. Since 2008, Michael has served as a Government Relations Specialist in the Department of External Affairs at Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio. In this role, he advances government relations strategies at the local, state, and federal level. Michael resides in Highland Heights, Ohio, with his wife, their two children, and an over-privileged rescue beagle.